You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
HOT DAMN this was good. Whew. Okay. Let me just--
This was exactly what my brain needed on several levels. The hurt/comfort was soul-healingly fluffy and beautiful. The care this couple had for each other's consent and for being ethical in what could have been a power imbalance situation, just, ugh, PERFECT.
The plot? Amazing. Hugely tense stakes that directly played into the characters' traumas and relationship barriers.
The spice? HOT and yet somehow slow burn. Can it be slow burn if they're getting each other off from different rooms because they're telepathically linked? I say yes it can.
Ah and speaking of the telepathy element! I admit I have a low key telepathy kink. I LOVE that dynamic in a romance, and this was one of the best examples I've read in a while. I loved both Saker and Rain immensely and rooted for them to get together so hard.
It's only just February and this might have already made my top ten for the year. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
This was exactly what my brain needed on several levels. The hurt/comfort was soul-healingly fluffy and beautiful. The care this couple had for each other's consent and for being ethical in what could have been a power imbalance situation, just, ugh, PERFECT.
The plot? Amazing. Hugely tense stakes that directly played into the characters' traumas and relationship barriers.
The spice? HOT and yet somehow slow burn. Can it be slow burn if they're getting each other off from different rooms because they're telepathically linked? I say yes it can.
Ah and speaking of the telepathy element! I admit I have a low key telepathy kink. I LOVE that dynamic in a romance, and this was one of the best examples I've read in a while. I loved both Saker and Rain immensely and rooted for them to get together so hard.
It's only just February and this might have already made my top ten for the year. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
DNF 77% Had potential and just fell flat. The beginning of the book had so much promise but the entire time I felt like this was a sequel and I didn't read the first book. I really wanted to finish it but by 77% I felt lost all interest and finally just gave up.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love Mallory Dunlin & I love her Echoes of the Void universe.
This was SUCH a fun premise for a story. One of the most powerful sorceresses in the world summons a cat familiar to hunt the mice that keep interrupting her important spell castings….. but instead of a regular cat, she ends up summoning a part incubus-part man- part cat (and more).
Obviously the results are… complicated. Rain (the FMC) is life bonded to this familiar (Saker, MMC) now, and his incubus form has to “consume” lust to survive.
Anyway, they form a friendship/get to know each other, and it’s just a great story.
I do wish Rain would have communicated with Saker better, because I felt bad for him for half of the book.
But I loved the world and the overall plot, Mallory Dunlin certainly has a knack for writing memorable main characters!
This was SUCH a fun premise for a story. One of the most powerful sorceresses in the world summons a cat familiar to hunt the mice that keep interrupting her important spell castings….. but instead of a regular cat, she ends up summoning a part incubus-part man- part cat (and more).
Obviously the results are… complicated. Rain (the FMC) is life bonded to this familiar (Saker, MMC) now, and his incubus form has to “consume” lust to survive.
Anyway, they form a friendship/get to know each other, and it’s just a great story.
I do wish Rain would have communicated with Saker better, because I felt bad for him for half of the book.
But I loved the world and the overall plot, Mallory Dunlin certainly has a knack for writing memorable main characters!
I don't know if this is going to flow well because there were a lot of moving parts of this book and I don't want to give away the whole story either. But here we go...
I grabbed this book as a freebie during one of the Stuff Your Kindle days and I’m glad I did (though this author’s books are also on KU). The magic system and world building had depth, though were sometimes confusing, and there was a nice balance between character development and the action portion of the plot. Political intrigue and machinations were critical to the story and while I was sometimes confused by these too, I was also riveted. The main characters felt dynamic and each had a bit of an emotional journey to navigate, though both had similar core challenges (loneliness and fear being primary). Seeing them struggle was hard at times, esp since part of that struggle felt like it fell more on one character vs. the other. I cried in a couple of places. But by the end you know they’re in a place where both are thriving and that held a great deal of satisfaction given where they started from.
To start, the author does have a list of content warnings at the start of the book (which includes violence, descriptions of injury and recovery, and open door sex scenes) and then a full list on her website. Her dedication following this list is amazing and esp touching after completing the book. Then is a section of the book that I missed when I started and when I finished (I literally just found it as I was writing this review) that summarizes the four planes of this world and their characteristics. These parts are all before the Table of Contents and the book opens past them so if you need to, just scroll on back to get the full effect.
The story jumps right in with both feet with Rain (h) performing spellwork for a plane-saving task that she and another mage complete. Because the story does this, it did take time for me to get my bearings on this world and Rain. I also found myself adjusting my understanding throughout the book, because the full picture of her powers and her past filter down throughout. But something happens during this opening spell that could have ended in the death of many people and it prompts Rain to think of calling a cat as a familiar. Except when she does, her call is answered by a quite more complex being in the form of a shapeshifting incubus on death’s door because he accepts her call right before he’s about to die on a battlefield on another plane. Rain has to leap into action to save him and it’s a couple of chapters before we learn a bit about Saker (H) from his POV. This is a common element in the book, where the author jumps back to give a perspective from the other main character, but since their mental and emotional state is crucial, I didn’t mind that sometimes there was a bit of backtracking.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama in the form of a sometimes lover of h’s who she considers still sleeping with at one point in the story (she doesn’t, but this was a point where I wanted to smack her; the sometimes lover also suggests a possible threesome with H, which also doesn’t happen). Some mentions of both h and H’s past romantic and sexual histories. H’s past was so trauma filled and painful for him, the number of partners he had because of his powers was more sad to me than anything else. He is naturally flirty and he does attract attention and lean into that at times, but only has eyes for h.
Rain was compassionate, self-sacrificing, crazy powerful and competent, and so fearful of certain connections, specifically ones that meant forever. Yet, she finds herself soul bound and you don’t get more forever than that. Saker was wounded (emotionally as well as all that physical damage), eager for affection and care, and uncertain. Where Rain was coming from a position of general respect and power in her world, Saker was so lonely and his only connections were ephemeral and centered around sex in his. He had to learn social, emotional, and behavioral cues and actions. I adored Saker and while Rain was often tender and caring with him, she also sometimes hurt him unintentionally, which made me really mad at her at times. A lot of the story focuses on the adjustment both have to go through with their new bond (which is described in a very cool way with them able to share magical, physical, and emotional parts of themselves). Additionally, Saker quickly feels strong emotions for Rain and she’s got some thick walls because of her personal hang-ups (which take time to reveal).
This book had a lot of intimacy and connection built because of Rain and Saker’s bond. Vulnerability was also very present in their thoughts and interactions since both were often exposed to the other. There were tender moments, hurtful ones, funny bonding times, instances of needing space, sweetness and light, some darkness, and a bunch of growing pains. This is a slow burn despite there being an incubus involved. For much of the book, boundaries are in place regarding sex and instead these two get busy solo, while also being sort of together through their bond. So in spite of the slow burn to actual full on fulfillment, there’s a good dose of steaminess before the full act. Saker also has different anatomy with an expressive tail, wings (wing cuddles y’all), horns, and some uniqueness under the belt.
Beyond the bond and relationship development, Rain has her plane-saving duties, research, and those pesky political challenges. Saker helps where he can and because of his own magical talents, he has some pivotal contributions. I enjoyed the spell casting and magical details, even when I felt a bit lost in some of the overwhelming details and influx of information. I was particularly confused when Rain’s past exploits were mentioned, sometimes repeatedly. Same with the politics since Rain has an adversarial role when it comes to two other mages and there are complicated dynamics there. Though she also has allies and close friends, all of whom that had page time I enjoyed. Her staff were especially great characters and I need to circle back and read the first book in this world that features her gardener and the elemental of the lack surrounding their island.
The climax was actually unexpected for me and another portion of the book that was a little confusing unfortunately. I liked the lead-up to it and the challenging and heavy events Rain and Saker overcame prior to it. But then the climax itself felt kind of rushed and left me with some questions that just couldn’t be answered. It did give Rain the final push she needed and Saker an opportunity to show his strength. It also at least presented a solution to a concern Saker had, that also unexpectedly popped up close to the end. The epilogue is a couple years into the future (I think it was a couple years) with Rain and Saker in love and tweaking the nose of one of Rain’s adversaries so ending on a happy and funny note. I do wish that there had been a transition with more time between the fallout from the climax and the epilogue, but a bonus epilogue is also available for signing up for the author’s newsletter that’s their wedding day and apparently a primal chase scene. I didn’t download it right now but I might in the future.
I’d definitely read more of this author’s work. I liked her writing style, though this book felt so much longer than it was. It took a substantial amount of time to read, this is not a skimming kind of story.
I grabbed this book as a freebie during one of the Stuff Your Kindle days and I’m glad I did (though this author’s books are also on KU). The magic system and world building had depth, though were sometimes confusing, and there was a nice balance between character development and the action portion of the plot. Political intrigue and machinations were critical to the story and while I was sometimes confused by these too, I was also riveted. The main characters felt dynamic and each had a bit of an emotional journey to navigate, though both had similar core challenges (loneliness and fear being primary). Seeing them struggle was hard at times, esp since part of that struggle felt like it fell more on one character vs. the other. I cried in a couple of places. But by the end you know they’re in a place where both are thriving and that held a great deal of satisfaction given where they started from.
To start, the author does have a list of content warnings at the start of the book (which includes violence, descriptions of injury and recovery, and open door sex scenes) and then a full list on her website. Her dedication following this list is amazing and esp touching after completing the book. Then is a section of the book that I missed when I started and when I finished (I literally just found it as I was writing this review) that summarizes the four planes of this world and their characteristics. These parts are all before the Table of Contents and the book opens past them so if you need to, just scroll on back to get the full effect.
The story jumps right in with both feet with Rain (h) performing spellwork for a plane-saving task that she and another mage complete. Because the story does this, it did take time for me to get my bearings on this world and Rain. I also found myself adjusting my understanding throughout the book, because the full picture of her powers and her past filter down throughout. But something happens during this opening spell that could have ended in the death of many people and it prompts Rain to think of calling a cat as a familiar. Except when she does, her call is answered by a quite more complex being in the form of a shapeshifting incubus on death’s door because he accepts her call right before he’s about to die on a battlefield on another plane. Rain has to leap into action to save him and it’s a couple of chapters before we learn a bit about Saker (H) from his POV. This is a common element in the book, where the author jumps back to give a perspective from the other main character, but since their mental and emotional state is crucial, I didn’t mind that sometimes there was a bit of backtracking.
Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, some om drama in the form of a sometimes lover of h’s who she considers still sleeping with at one point in the story (she doesn’t, but this was a point where I wanted to smack her; the sometimes lover also suggests a possible threesome with H, which also doesn’t happen). Some mentions of both h and H’s past romantic and sexual histories. H’s past was so trauma filled and painful for him, the number of partners he had because of his powers was more sad to me than anything else. He is naturally flirty and he does attract attention and lean into that at times, but only has eyes for h.
Rain was compassionate, self-sacrificing, crazy powerful and competent, and so fearful of certain connections, specifically ones that meant forever. Yet, she finds herself soul bound and you don’t get more forever than that. Saker was wounded (emotionally as well as all that physical damage), eager for affection and care, and uncertain. Where Rain was coming from a position of general respect and power in her world, Saker was so lonely and his only connections were ephemeral and centered around sex in his. He had to learn social, emotional, and behavioral cues and actions. I adored Saker and while Rain was often tender and caring with him, she also sometimes hurt him unintentionally, which made me really mad at her at times. A lot of the story focuses on the adjustment both have to go through with their new bond (which is described in a very cool way with them able to share magical, physical, and emotional parts of themselves). Additionally, Saker quickly feels strong emotions for Rain and she’s got some thick walls because of her personal hang-ups (which take time to reveal).
This book had a lot of intimacy and connection built because of Rain and Saker’s bond. Vulnerability was also very present in their thoughts and interactions since both were often exposed to the other. There were tender moments, hurtful ones, funny bonding times, instances of needing space, sweetness and light, some darkness, and a bunch of growing pains. This is a slow burn despite there being an incubus involved. For much of the book, boundaries are in place regarding sex and instead these two get busy solo, while also being sort of together through their bond. So in spite of the slow burn to actual full on fulfillment, there’s a good dose of steaminess before the full act. Saker also has different anatomy with an expressive tail, wings (wing cuddles y’all), horns, and some uniqueness under the belt.
Beyond the bond and relationship development, Rain has her plane-saving duties, research, and those pesky political challenges. Saker helps where he can and because of his own magical talents, he has some pivotal contributions. I enjoyed the spell casting and magical details, even when I felt a bit lost in some of the overwhelming details and influx of information. I was particularly confused when Rain’s past exploits were mentioned, sometimes repeatedly. Same with the politics since Rain has an adversarial role when it comes to two other mages and there are complicated dynamics there. Though she also has allies and close friends, all of whom that had page time I enjoyed. Her staff were especially great characters and I need to circle back and read the first book in this world that features her gardener and the elemental of the lack surrounding their island.
The climax was actually unexpected for me and another portion of the book that was a little confusing unfortunately. I liked the lead-up to it and the challenging and heavy events Rain and Saker overcame prior to it. But then the climax itself felt kind of rushed and left me with some questions that just couldn’t be answered. It did give Rain the final push she needed and Saker an opportunity to show his strength. It also at least presented a solution to a concern Saker had, that also unexpectedly popped up close to the end. The epilogue is a couple years into the future (I think it was a couple years) with Rain and Saker in love and tweaking the nose of one of Rain’s adversaries so ending on a happy and funny note. I do wish that there had been a transition with more time between the fallout from the climax and the epilogue, but a bonus epilogue is also available for signing up for the author’s newsletter that’s their wedding day and apparently a primal chase scene. I didn’t download it right now but I might in the future.
I’d definitely read more of this author’s work. I liked her writing style, though this book felt so much longer than it was. It took a substantial amount of time to read, this is not a skimming kind of story.
I really love the feelings and mood this book put me in. It was really ethereal/cosmic/astrological.
The kindle edition says it is 343 pages. I don't know what size 'page' it's measuring or what magic was used. I felt like I was reading a 800 page novel. It's crazy, I was reading and reading but not moving through the book.
I really wanted this to have less sexy bits because it really didn't need that much to make it an amazing fantasy. I want less so I can recommend it to more people in real life.
The kindle edition says it is 343 pages. I don't know what size 'page' it's measuring or what magic was used. I felt like I was reading a 800 page novel. It's crazy, I was reading and reading but not moving through the book.
I really wanted this to have less sexy bits because it really didn't need that much to make it an amazing fantasy. I want less so I can recommend it to more people in real life.
High stakes epic romance with a deeply romantic, and highly sexy, twist. Rain is one of the most powerful mages on the Material plane, tasked with guarding the world from falling pieces of the firmament. She impulsively enlists the aid of a cat familiar and ends up soul-bonded to a shape shifting incubus. In an interesting twist on the fated-mates trope, Rain struggles to commit to a romantic relationship, while Saker is all in from the moment he accepts her call. The world building is lush and the romance hits all the right notes. Highly recommend for monster romance fans who enjoy over the top characters and immersive world building.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated